Around Town

Good Monday evening, Fairfax County. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Aug 24, 2026.

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Tuesday throughout the county, from our event calendar.

☀️ Tuesday’s forecast

Expect mostly sunny weather with a high near 85 degrees and a northwest wind at 5 to 9 mph. Tuesday night will be partly cloudy with a low around 63 degrees and a light northwest wind. See more from Weather.gov.

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

The MonumentCam screenshot above is used with permission of the Trust for the National Mall and courtesy of EarthCam.

Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.


Around Town

A Korean pot rice restaurant is set to fill the space in Centreville’s Centrewood Plaza vacated this summer by longtime tenant Tippy’s Taco House.

Dam-Sot, a restaurant specializing in premium rice dishes, will open at 14119 St. Germain Drive near the Giant food store that anchors the shopping plaza.


Around Town

The Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington’s Summer Restaurant Week is back for 2026, and over two dozen establishments in Fairfax County are in the mix.

Starting today (Monday) through Sunday, Aug. 30, more than 380 restaurants in D.C., Maryland and Virginia are offering multi-course brunch, lunch and dinner menus that range in price from $25 to $65 per person, depending on the location.


News

A nonprofit focused on advocating for immigrants and the working class plans to open a community center along Little River Turnpike in Annandale that it hopes will become a hub for workforce training, youth programs, legal clinics and other social services.

We Are CASA hopes to partially open and offer some services inside the 11,000-square-foot Fairfax Welcome Center by the end of 2027, Jossie Flor Sapunar, the group’s national communications director, told FFXnow over email.


Event

Music. Art. Food. Community. The Takoma Park Folk Festival brings it all together for one free, unforgettable day. Discover six stages of live music from around the world, shop an acclaimed juried craft show, enjoy international cuisine, connect with local community organizations, and let the kids explore crafts and activities in the Children's Nook. It's one of the region's most beloved traditions, and a celebration of the creativity, diversity, and welcoming spirit that has long defined Takoma Park.

New this year! Jam at the Crossroads is a place for musicians of all levels to come together and be part of the music.


Around Town

Good news for future Centreville-area commuters craving a crunchy quesarito or chalupa: Taco Bell appears to be planning a new drive-thru on a secondary road just off Routes 28 and 29.

Plans were submitted to Fairfax County by Centreville Investors LLC last week seeking a conditional rezoning and permission to build a new, 2,800-square-foot building, complete with drive-thru and a Taco Bell sign, at 5866 Old Centreville Road.


News

An information technology contractor based in Reston has secured a new, larger headquarters office, even as its parent company works to finalize a recently announced merger with an IT startup in Tysons.

MetroStar Systems signed a lease last week for 37,844-square-feet of office space in the nine-story building at 12010 Sunset Hills Road in Reston Town Center.


Countywide

After an initial round this spring, Fairfax County is bringing back its initiative that offers free trees for residents to plant on their properties.

Partnering again with the nonprofit Arbor Day Foundation, the county’s Urban and Community Forestry Division will limit giveaways for the first two weeks, starting today (Monday), to people living in neighborhoods that rank “high” or “very high” on the federal Social Vulnerability Index.


Countywide

Fairfax County Public Schools students are heading back to the classroom today (Monday), a familiar sight that might inspire nostalgia and stress among even non-parent residents.

However, in recent months, Fairfax County and the school system have adopted a number of changes to policies and services that are taking effect during the new school year, particularly around the use of technology in the classroom.


Countywide
The setting sun colors clouds over the W&OD Trail in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Motorcyclist Critically Injured in Annandale — Fairfax County police officers responded yesterday (Sunday) afternoon to “a motorcycle crash at Braddock Rd and Pine Rd in Annandale. The adult male rider was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries.” [FCPD/X]

Drought Warning Still in Place — “Despite significant rainfall, the Drought Monitoring Task Force (DMTF) has continued the existing drought advisory statuses for Virginia.” With groundwater levels still at “emergency” status, Northern Virginia remains under a drought warning advisory, meaning a “significant” drought could be imminent and voluntary steps to conserve water are encouraged. [Virginia DEQ]

Three Arrests for Herndon-Area Shooting — “The shooting broke out near Birch Run Circle and Elm Tree Drive, near the Herndon and Reston area on Aug. 19 … Around 2:43 a.m., officers responded to reports of gunfire in the area, where a man reported that a 17-year-old he knew fired several shots at his vehicle.” The teen and two adults have been arrested, Fairfax County police say. [DC News Now]

Proposed Head Start Changes Concern Advocates — “Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration for Children and Families proposed significant changes to the program, framing them as measures to reduce federal regulatory burden, restore local flexibility and give greater authority to states, programs, and parents.” The Virginia Head Start Association, however, says “the proposal risks the program’s future.” [Virginia Mercury]

AI Hiring Tools Used by Va. Contractors — State procurement records indicate that artificial intelligence technology that can identify hiring applicants, scan resumes and “conduct one-way interviews” have been used “by state agencies and offices, including the Department of Motor Vehicles and the attorney general’s office. Records show that in fiscal years 2024 and 2025, the AG’s office had yearly subscriptions with the AI hiring company TestGorilla B.V.” [VPM News]

Burger Food Truck Plans Restaurant — “S&P Burger, is opening its first brick-and-mortar location in Fairfax, this fall. The new restaurant will be located at 11055 Main St., Fairfax,” and is aiming to launch in October. [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Thousands Cited for Unsafe Driving — “Between August 10 and August 16, officers issued 16,235 citations and warnings, including 6,162 citations and 10,073 warnings, making Wave 3 the largest enforcement effort of 2026. These results highlight the continued importance of traffic safety and driver accountability across Fairfax County.” The Road Shark campaign will return for a fourth wave on Oct. 12. [FCPD]

Footbridges Replaced in Reston — “The Footbridge 60 & 64 replacement projects have been completed, and associated pathways have been reopened. These footbridges will serve Reston’s pathway users for decades and will also support maintenance/ emergency vehicle access to remote sections of the pathway.” Additional footbridges will be upgraded “in the coming years.” [Reston Association]

It’s Monday — Expect sunny weather today with a high of around 84°F and a light west wind picking up to 5 to 9 mph in the morning. Tonight will be mostly clear, with temperatures dropping to about 61°F. The northwest wind will be around 6 mph, calming down in the evening. [NWS]